Vivi Loves Science: Wind and Water

by Kimberly Derting, Shelli R. Johannes, Joelle Murray (Illustrator)

Vivi loves science! In this STEM-themed Level 3 I Can Read! title, Vivi helps her community clean up the beach after a storm and learns about how wind and water shape the landscape. A great choice for aspiring scientists, new readers, and fans of Andrea Beaty’s Ada Twist, Scientist . Includes activities, a glossary, and a fun science experiment to do at home. Vivi loves science—and experimenting! In this Level 3 I Can Read! title, Vivi volunteers to help with the clean-up efforts at the beach after a big storm hits her town. But why does the beach look so different than before? Vivi and her friends will have to ask a lot of questions, learn about erosion, and conduct experiments to find out! The Loves Science books introduce readers to girls who love science, as well as basic concepts of science, technology, engineering, and math. This Level 3 I Can Read! explores how wind and water impact different landscapes, and includes an experiment about erosion to try at home or school, as well as a glossary. A great pick for newly independent readers and an ideal companion to Cece Loves Push and Pull ; Libby Loves Mix and Measure ; and Vivi Loves Sink or Float. 

Genres: Science, Childrens, Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 10, 2023

About the author

Kimberly Derting once wanted to be a “foxy lady trucker” but changed her mind when she took 7th-grade journalism and discovered writing. She hasn’t looked back since.

She’s the author of award-winning young adult novels, including The Body Finder series, The Pledge trilogy, and The Taking trilogy. She’s also co-written many popular picture books, including the Loves Science series, the Farm Friends series, and Penny: The Engineering Tail of The Fourth Little Pig. Her first solo picture book is Baby Steps: A Picture Book For New Siblings.

Her young adult books have been translated into over 15 languages, and both THE BODY FINDER and THE PLEDGE were YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults selections. Her picture books have received starred reviews, been Amazon book-of-the-month picks, and were featured in Good Housekeeping.

These days, Kimberly lives in the Pacific Northwest, where she watches WAY too much Netflix, orders 20-pound boxes of Nerds gumballs from Amazon, and loves to complain about the rain even though she lives in Seattle, where it rains ALL of the time! You can find her online at www.kimberlyderting.com


Note: I'm the worst about checking my Goodreads email...I apologize if I don't get back to you! If you need to reach me, try emailing me at kim(at)kimberlyderting(dot)com

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great science based beginner reader. I am not a huge fan of science, but I think this would be a great recommendation for kids who are interested in science. Based on the words and sentence structures, this one would be more appropriate for a more advanced independent reader. But it has some great illustrations and has great information about the impact of erosion. I also think there were some slight nods to conservationism. When the storm is over Vivi and her close friend take the opportunity to also help clean the beach. There’s some great back matter that explores, wind erosion and water erosion and it is has an activity that would be really fun for the family. I definitely recommend checking this one out for those who have science lovers on their hands.

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the idea of a book teaching kids about the works of the wind and water. It introduces children at an early stage explaining how erosions occur and why they are important for living creatures on land. The explanations in the book are easy enough for young readers to understand. I also love the two experiments that were conducted in the classroom to demonstrate how it can be seen in a small setting versus what happens over a period of time.

I would definitely put this book on list of books for curious children who love science or about the world in general.

[Themountainbookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an excellent book showing what happens to a beach after a storm. My kids love the character Vivi. She is fun and vibrant. The main character is inquisitive which helps make learning this STEM subject fun! The dialogue between the characters felt realistic. We have read this multiple times and I have not grown tire of it. There's a science experiment in the back which is a cherry on top.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written early reader that meshes science information with the story. Derting has created a great series for younger elementary level with likeable characters in realistic situations. They learn about the damage wind and water can cause after a major storm changes the beach structure in their town. Vivi and her friends join the clean up effort to remove the storm debris from the beach.

[Greg S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent!

I has a nice field-trip at the start, but then slows down when the story goes back to the classroom and a lecture.

My six-year-old liked the experiment idea and wants to do it.

But I don’t think he paid attention to half the book so this may be more interesting for an eight year old.

The illustrations are nice!

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vivi is a delightful character and this level 3 reader provides a more complex platform on which she can display her eager observation and questioning skills, her engagement with natural sciences, and her e enthusiasm for actual science experiments and demonstrations. Simple directions in back matter make this a multi-use and multi-read option for individual, family, or classroom use.

[Felita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Can Read level (3) Reading Alone
Vivi is a young African American girl who loves science. This book explains what happens to the beach after a stormy night.
Science experiments dealing with erosion, glossary and four pictures that asks what created these places.

[KaitandMaddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is great, and I think the Vivi books have been the most fun of them. We like the experiments.

[curiouskat_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first introduction to this series. While I enjoyed the story and how it was told, the fact that it included a science experiment at the end was just fantastic!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda dull? There’s a balance between story and education and for me this one didn’t find it.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has a ton of great info in east to read chunks.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students in Dubai will LOVE seeing the illustration of the Burj Khalifa in this book! 🇦🇪

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a storm, Vivi assists in cleaning up the beach